Alleima, is thrilled to announce its latest compressor valve steel Freeflex® Versa, a successor of the award-winning Freeflex® Core.
The new material contributes to designing smaller, more sustainable, and more energy-efficient compressors for refrigerators, and freezers. It is a pioneering compressor valve steel with exceptional fatigue resistance, residual stresses, and wear resistance.
Progress in compressor valve steels
Over the past decades, Alleima, a manufacturer of high-value-added products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys, has pioneered advancements in compressor valve steels to meet the latest energy efficiency standards in HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) applications. Freeflex® Versa represents substantial progress in compressor valve steel technology.
Freeflex® Versa represents substantial progress in compressor valve steel technology
Building upon the success of its predecessors Hiflex™ and Freeflex® Core this martensitic stainless steel is engineered, with a focus on catering to the unique requirements of reciprocating and linear technologies. Notable features of Freeflex® Versa include exceptional fatigue resistance, outstanding wear resistance, and the ability to contribute to noise reduction and downsizing.
Development of the new compressor valve steel
At the International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue University, Alleima, will present the exploration of the development of the new compressor valve steel variant Freeflex® Versa, as well as showcasing its dynamic valve steel portfolio, tailored to meet specific technological demands. The company's commitment to developing lighter, stronger, and more durable materials underscores its dedication to fostering energy-efficient and sustainable applications.
"Even a small piece of steel can have a great impact. Our premium compressor valve steel provides increased design freedom, leading to more energy-efficient appliances and sustainable products," says Anders Hoel, Ph.D. in Material Science and Senior Research Engineer, at Alleima.
New possibilities for enhancing performance
The innovative Freeflex® Versa opens up new possibilities for enhancing performance and efficiency
Alleima's compressor valve steel is ideally suited for a variety of applications, including air conditioning equipment, heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers, and clothes dryers. The innovative Freeflex® Versa, in particular, opens up new possibilities for enhancing performance and efficiency in these essential household and commercial appliances.
The global demand for cooling systems is rising due to population growth, urbanization, higher living standards, and climate change. The International Energy Agency reports that air conditioners and electric fans account for about 20% of electricity used in buildings worldwide, or 10% of all global electricity consumption. Therefore, using more energy-efficient cooling systems is crucial.
Research by Alleima over a 10-year period to 2022 showed that Alleima Hiflex™ improved air conditioner energy efficiency by an estimated 18%. Alleima Versa is the next generation of this product and advances energy efficiency further.